Mesh Market Bag with Cell Phone Accessory Pockets What You'll Need: Size 10 US/6mm circulars or DPNs Sze 7 US/4.5mm circulars or DPNs 4 skeins of Sugar 'n Cream Yarn or any cotton worsted weight yarn Final Bag Dimensions: Gauge: Bag: 16 1/2" long Circimference: 27" wide (empty) - the mesh will allow you to almost double that as it expands to fit larger items Strap: 13 1/2" from top of bag to top of shoulder. 27" total strap length Pockets: 3 1/2" long x 2" wide x 1/2" deep - the mesh version of the pocket will stretch out a little more than this however Size 10 US/6mm: 14 sts, 20 rows = 4" Size 7 US/4.5mm: 16 sts, 20r = 4" This knitted mesh market bag is great for the beach or running around town. You can add up to two pockets to the straps for a cell phone or other accessories. There are two different pocket styles - choose one or both! The bottom is a solid seed stitch, so items at the bottom will not poke through. Of course this bag is machine washable because it's made from cotton material, so no matter what you use it for, you can always pop it in the washing mashine for a refresher!
Begin With Knitting the Strap The main part of the strap is knitted back and forth in a seed stitch. However the wider base section is a stockinette stitch with a ribbed edge to prevent curling. Then later you'll knit a pocket to be stitched over this area. co 14 sts with the size 7 US / 4.5mm needles Stockinette strap instructions: (R1: k even R2: k2, p10, k2) * Repeat for 26 rows Decrease Bag Strap NR: k1, skp, k8, k2tog, k1 NR: k2, p8, k2 NR: k1, skp, k6, k2tog, k1 NR: k2, p6, k2 NR: k1, skp, k4, k2tog, k1 NR: k2, p4, k2 k seed stitch for 80 rows (approx another 20") or for desired length Increase Strap RS:, kfb, k6, kfb WS: k2, p6, k2 RS: kfb, k8, kfb WS: k2, p8, k2 (RS: kfb, k10, kfb WS: k even) * Repeat these last 2 rows for 26 rows
Create the Bag's Upper Band Now it's time to make that upper band on the bag. This band will help give the bag some stability, as it is knitted in the round in a seed stitch. Continue using the size 7 needles here. With the 14 sts you already have on your needle, we're now going to co 46 more stitches. Note: Recommend using a Knitted Cast On Pick up the 14 sts on the other end of the strap. Be sure it is not twisted! co 47 more sts and join to the 1st st. You need an odd number of sts to do this part, which is why we cast on 46 and then 47 sts. k 11 rounds in seed st. Mesh Bag Body Place a marker Switch to Size 10US / 6mm circular needles First we need to bring this back to an even number of sts so: Round 1: k2tog, then (yo, k2tog)* Repeat the parenthesis to stitch marker Round 2: knit even Round 3: (yo, k2tog)* Repeat to stitch marker Repeat Rounds 2 and 3 until the bag is 10 inches long (or desired length) from the top of the band where the straps join the bag. Next round: Knit even to marker Switch back to size 7 US / 4.5mm needles kfb (increase by 1 st so you are back to an odd number of sts.) k in seed st for 8 rows Shape the Bag's Bottom Ending with a knitted st (not a yo or k2tog): p2tog, k2tog, k37 in seed st
p2tog, k2tog, k37 in seed st Note: With the p2tog, k2tog's: this is meant to maintain the seed stitch pattern. It's possible yours may not match up. Therefore, you'll need to look at your own work and determine if the stitch before your descrease stitch is a purled stitch then you will k2tog and then p2tog. If the stitch before the 2 decrease stitches is a knitted stitch, then p2tog, k2tog and continue to maintain the seed stitch pattern. Next round: k in seed st The Base of the Bag When you have 45 sts left, beginning from marker: k1 (k2tog)* Repeat to end of round Next Round: k even Next round: k1, (k2tog)* NR: k even Cut a long tail and pull yarn end through remaining sts, pull tight and weave in loose ends on the inside of the bag. Knit the Pockets We've got two pocket styles to choose from. You can knit one or both, it's up to you. The pockets are knitted and then attached to the bag strap when completed. Pocket Style 1 This pocket has a slight mesh pattern that matches the sides of the bag. Use size 7 US / 4.5mm needles co 13 sts Row 1: purl across R2: k1, p1, k1, k2tog, yo, k1, p1, k1, yo, skp, k1, p1, k1 R3: p1, k2, p4, k1, p4, k1, p1
Repeat rows 2 and 3 for 22 rows. Next 3 rows: k in rib knit (k1, p1) Bind off loosely. Leave a very long tail and use that to sew the pocket to the bag. Recommend a chain stitch with a crochet hook but a straight sewing stitch will work just as well. Pocket Style 2 This uses a seed stitch pattern with 2 ribbed stripes along the side that allows for some stretch. Use size 7 US / 4.5mm needles co 13 sts Row 1: k1, p1, k3, p1, k1, p1, k3, p1, k1 Row 2: (k1, p1)* Repeat to end Repeat Rows 1 and 2 for a total of 25 rows. Bind off loosely. Leave a very long yarn tail and use it to sew the pocket to the strap of the bag.